THE WAIHI STRIKE

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 280, 23 May 1912, Page 5

THE WAIHI STRIKE

PROTEJCTIN'G THE MINES.

By Telegraph—Press Association. Waihi, Yesterday. Applications have been lodged with the local Warden's Court by the Waihi Company for six months' protection for all their claims and 70 subsidiary rights, including water rates, dams, special sites, etc., for hearing on June 14, The Grand Junction Company has also lodged application and 25 subsidiary rights on May 29. The applications will be made for fourteen days summary protection for the above claims and rights, so as to carry them on till the time When the ordinary applications, which require sixteen days' notice, can be heard.

Waihi Extended Company also applied in the same way for six months' protection for their two claims. The grounds given for their applications are that, owing to the labor troubles in Waihi, the companies are not in a position to man the properties, and in connection with the applications for the protection of subsidiary rights that they are not in a position to use such privileges.

PROSTITUTING UNIONISM.

SCHOOLS CLOSE IN SYMPATHY

WITH STRIKERS,

Waihi, Last Night. It is apparent that an exodus is commencing now that the principal pay day has passed. An increased number of outward-bound passengers were in evidence at the railway station yesterday morning, accompanied by various assortments of baggage, showing that the departures could not be associated with anything in the nature of a brief holiday trip. A local coal dealer states that the coal dealers have been having a meeting, and resolved not to have anything to do with the 'Strike Cowimittee of the Miners' Union, in regard to obtaining consignments of coal, and that if they could not obtain supplies without having to go through certain formalities with the committee then they would do without them altogether. Tn regard to the railway station incident, he said that the pickets of the union, who had been watching the station approached another dealer, who was about to cart his own coal, and requested him, before doing so, to obtain from the Strike Committee a list of those persons to whom he was not to supply coal. This he declined to do, stating that he had paid for the coal and intended supplying it to his own customers. The stationmaster informed the pickets that they would not be permitted to interfere with any person in the precincts of the railway station.

In connection with the mass demonstration this afternoon the local school, under the instruction of the chairman of the committee, will close early.

THE STRIKE FUND.

ARCHDEACON BRODTE EXPLAINS.

TVaihi, Last Night. The amount subscribed and promised towards the fighting fund for assisting the Engine-drivers and Winders' Union at Waihi in their efforts to uphold the conditions of the Arbitration Act has now reached a total of nearly £250. A first instalment, amounting to £4O, was forwarded ito the Ven. Archdeacon Brodie on Friday last, it being considered that he is a fit and proper person to undertake the duty of distributing the money to members of the union, as he takes a special interest in the welfare of ihis section of the workers.

The following letter has been sent by Archdeacon Brodie to the secretary of the "Miners' Union:—"ln reference to the above paragraph, appearing in yesterday's Herald. I have been requested to make an explanation, and do so, as the paragraph is likely to convey an erroneous impression as to my acting as agent for the disbursement of the drivers' relief fund. The first intimation received was an unsigned telegram, stating that the money was being sent through me. As T had no previous communication on the subject I could only await a further communication. This came on Monday, in the shape of a bank draft for £4o! Immediately on its receipt I took steps to have other arrangements made, as I wished during the present crisis to maintain an attitude of impartial independence, and my acting as agent for one party to the dispute would be construed to mean the adoption of an attitude of partisanship. If it were a question of general relief I would not hesitate, as I already advocated some system of relief, and stated that we should be prepared to assist all in distress, irrespective of creed or party. The last words of the paragraph are even more misleading, as they are as follows: 'He takes a special interest in the welfare of this section of the workers.' The natural inference is that I took some practical part in the formation of the Engine-drivers' Union. In reply to this I can state that the union was formed without even my knowledge of the fact, anfl that in conversation with a member whom I met prior to the strike I gave it as my opinion that the movement on the part of the new union was inopportune. As to my espousing the cause of one section of the workers, this is not borne out by any of my utterances, whether prior or subsequent to the declaration of the strike. I have always advocated measures for itlie betterment of the workers in general, and to say that only one section of the workers had my attention and sympathy would not be in accord with truth. It may be well to further explain some views expressed Ito a member of the Miners' Union, bearing on the justice of the strike. "When asked my opinion as to the justice or otherwise of the action of the Drivers' Union, I stated that, from authorities I had read, it would appear that members have acted within their rights as far as natural, divine and civil laws are concerned, and the decision seems to be borne out "by recognised writers on social industrial problems and the -principles of unionism. Even writers favoring one general union do not condemn component unions specialising in various branches of industry, yet all aiming and acting in harmony for the one grand object of the uplifting of the worker. Then, when asked a question as to the necessity of a strike, I had to answer that, as far I could gather from the public statements made concerning the cause of tlie strike, I would have to say that if the matter were submitted to me before the strike I would have deemed it my duty to use my influence to avoid a strike. Now that the strike has been declared, I have been anxious fQr a settlement. All my efforts have been directed to that end, so that by calm consideration apparently conflicting principles might be harmonised and brighter liopes might be entertained of the return of industrial peace to Waihi. It is only honest on my part to state what I have said in a private conversation, so that members of the Miners' Union may understand thoroughly the position I have taken up, and be quite satisfied that the explanation given in reference to my attitude to the Engine-drivers' Union and Telief fund gives an exact statement of the case—Matthew J. Brodie."